Chapter 427: Forcing the Palace (Revised)

Two days later, Masayoshi Kishimoto led Kazuya Takahashi and Mirai Yamada to appear at the Horipro office. The address of this firm was located at 2-5 Shimomeguro 1-chome, Meguro-ku, Tokyo, Japan.

Prior to this, Mirai Yamada had informed the board of directors of Horipro Office on behalf of the Hard Gold Group that the shareholders had requested a meeting of the company’s top directors.

On Masayoshi Kishimoto’s left hand side was seated Kazuya Takahashi, the head of his company’s legal department, and on his right hand side was seated Mirai Yamada, the head of his secretary’s office.

Their expressions looked relaxed. On the other hand, the existing shareholders of Horipro were looking at each other as if they were facing an enemy. Each of them had a feeling that something big was going to happen within the company.

There was no one who was more nervous than Horipro’s founder, Wilfred Hori, who was afraid that the company that he had fought for decades would change ownership, which would ultimately make it impossible for him to retire without fear, and then he would not be able to bring his life to a happy ending.

Masayoshi Kishimoto knew that although HORIPRO favored actors and variety artists, it was formerly known for having musicians such as Yosui Inoue, Shingo Hamada, and RC SECTION.

In the past, HORIPRO was always behind Watanabe PRO, giving the impression of being the “second best”, but now the caliber of its artists has far surpassed that of Watanabe PRO.

The most unique thing about HORIPRO was that it never relied on violent gangs like the previous firms, but instead, it followed Watanabe PRO’s example of building a clean image, even hiring staff members who had graduated from Waseda University, and using this image to build up a reputation as a first-class firm.

After the meeting officially began, Masayoshi Kishimoto didn’t rush to speak, patiently waiting for the current Horipro Firm Chairman, Wilfred Hori, to speak first.

It wasn’t as if Horipro didn’t know that the biggest shareholder at the moment wasn’t himself, but Masayoshi Kishimoto. Although the other party is not absolutely controlling, but can submit an application to the Tokyo Stock Exchange for the acquisition of Horipro Office.

After all, Japanese law has a clear provision, as long as any shareholder’s shares exceed 30%, you can make such a takeover request. Of course, the other side can also lobby the other shareholders to sell their shares one by one.

The purpose of listing Horipro Office on the Tokyo Stock Exchange was to raise more capital for the company’s growth and development. However, within a few years of its listing, the company had been subjected to a hostile takeover by others.

Not only the shareholders of Horipro Office are thinking about it, but also their artists are waiting to see what will happen. It’s all about the future strategic direction of Horipro, who will be taken seriously and so on.

“It’s come to this, so there’s nothing I can say. It’s better for Chairman Kishimoto to speak!” Hori Weifu said with the full feeling of having a knife held above his neck.

“Since Chairman Hori is so polite, then I’ll be the one to do it. I originally didn’t want to talk to everyone about things in such a form either.

However, the proposal I initially made was rejected by most of you. As for the reason, it’s not unreasonable.

Japanese people are generally attracted to women who look innocent and cute, and who have a petite figure. Ayase Yao just doesn’t fit in with this Japanese tradition.

As time progresses and evolves, so does the way people think. In all fairness to everyone here, you still like hot and tall women in your heart.

If Horipro Office wants to go out of this one market, Japan, and lead Asia, then it also has to take into consideration the rest of Asia’s preference for actresses over the petite sizes favored by the Japanese.” Masayoshi Kishimoto said without haste.

The other shareholders present, as well as Hori Weifu, did not believe that Masayoshi Kishimoto had gone through the trouble of acquiring Horipro Office’s shares on the Tokyo Stock Exchange through Hard Gold Capital, a subsidiary of the Hard Gold Group, just to promote Ayase Yoko to the top. They were more convinced that it was just an excuse for the other party.

“As for the grandiose words, you don’t need to say them again. Just tell us straight about your ultimate goal!” Horikov was helpless at the moment.

He held that even if he were to die, he would have to die standing up. What he was most upset about was that the Horipro firm, which he had created through his own hands, was going to end just like that.

He was able to join with the other shareholders to counteract Masayoshi Kishimoto, but it was only a theoretical possibility. How much feeling did anyone other than himself have for Horipro?

Their primary purpose was to make money, and they were even eager for Masayoshi Kishimoto to make a fortune by buying the Horipro Firm’s shares from them at a premium on this.

“Chairman Hori, you’re really misunderstanding my intentions. I still have considerable respect for you from the bottom of my heart. My intention to increase my holdings in Horipro Firm’s stock is not a malicious takeover at all.

The name Horipro can be retained, and you can continue to serve as the president of Horipro.

The time limit is no more than two years. In this way, you will be able to leave in style and not give the outside world the impression that you are being forced into a palace.

In addition to this, I propose that Shingo Oda, who is currently the president of Horipro, take over your future position.

After that, the vice president of the board of directors will be your eldest son, Kazutaka. The president of the company will be your second son, Yoshitaka.” Masayoshi Kishimoto spoke eloquently.

“You and Shingo Oda have it all worked out, haven’t you!” Horikov’s pair of old eyes was looking directly at Shingo Oda. He had never thought that the person who stabbed himself in the back would be him.

“To say an unkind word. You’re old, it’s time to retire. Otherwise, the people behind you won’t have much of a chance.

Personnel arrangements above also have your two sons in the company as a key position, is considered to the old-timer you are very respectful. Of course, if you really don’t accept such an arrangement, then another story.” Masayoshi Kishimoto said bluntly.

Horikov said with a wry smile, “You’re the majority shareholder, you can always find a reason to make an appointment or dismissal.”

“Since you’re so bent on thinking that I’m the villain, then I’ll just be the villain through and through.The Horipro Agency will be merged under the Hard Gold Media umbrella.” Justice Kishimoto calmly said.

As soon as these words came out, the board of directors immediately had some people who were murmuring. After all was said and done, there was still going to be an annexation of Horipro Firm.

“Everyone be quiet and finish listening!” Takahashi Kazuya took the initiative to maintain order.

Only then did they gradually quiet down, wanting to hear what Masayoshi Kishimoto had to say later.

“I won’t let your interests be jeopardized. Here are two options for you all to choose from. One is to directly sell the Horipro Firm’s shares in your hands to Hard Gold Media, and the other is to discount the Horipro Firm’s shares in your hands in exchange for Hard Gold Media’s shares.” Masayoshi Kishimoto said in a serious manner.